In Sermon Illustrations: "Understanding God"

Pursuit Of Happiness

Contributed by Larry Hinkle on Dec 12, 2019

A disgruntled early American once complained to Ben Franklin, “so where is all this happiness that the Constitution was supposed to guarantee me?” Franklin is said to have responded, “The Constitution only guarantees the American people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it ...read more

Scripture: John 15:11

Tags: Happiness, Joy

Denomination: Methodist

Approved Workers

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Dec 2, 2020

In II Timothy 2:14-20, the Apostle Paul gives five characteristics of those in the Body of Christ who are "approved workers". When believers stand at the Judgment Seat of Christ, there will be only two types of people there: workers who are approved and workers who are not approved. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:14-20

Tags: Rewards, Bema, Judgment Seat Of Christ, Approved Workers

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Cod And The Cat Fish

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jul 9, 2022

TELL THE STORY OF THE COD… There was a favorite fish along the east coast. It is the COD. The cod was so tasty and it was a favorite dish along the coast. So the market expanded but something was lost in the shipping. The frozen cod was mushy and tasteless. So they began shipping the cod alive in ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 42:5, Genesis 41:41

Tags: Enemy, Forgive

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The First National Thanksgiving Proclamation

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 20, 2022

First National Thanksgiving Proclamation Whereas, it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; Whereas, both the houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:14

Tags: Thanksgiving, America, Prayer

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Daddy's Side Of The Family (Father's Day Joke!)

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jun 7, 2023

A little girl asked her Mom, “Where do human beings come from?” Mom answered, “I want to tell you a story from the Bible. God made Adam and Eve and they had children, and so was all mankind made.” Two days later the girl asked her Dad the same question. Dad answered much differently. He said, ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-3

Tags: Fathers, Creation, Evolution, Family, Father's Day, Mothers, Atheism  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Honesty Or Dishonest Gain

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Jan 23, 2024

1 Peter 5:1-3 warns against dishonest gain - "Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care...not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve." In January 2024 a USA pastor and his wife were charged after hundreds of Christians invested in their cryptocurrency scheme. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1-3, 1 Timothy 3:1-10, Titus 1:5-9

Tags: Money, Deception, Greed, Pastor, Integrity, Service  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Prayer As Our Heavy Artillery

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jul 9, 2024

In Ephesians 6:18, Paul has completed the metaphor of Roman armor. But he is not finished teaching about spiritual warfare. In fact, he has come to the most important weapon in our spiritual arsenal. Prayer is the heavy artillery. Through prayer we call down the bombardment of God against our ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:18

Tags: Spiritual Warfare, Prayer, Intercession, Victory, Armor, Battles  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Social Consequences Of Sin

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Oct 13, 2024

Social consequences of sin. Jonathan Edwards in his book “The Nature Of True Virtue” lays out how sin destroys the social fabric. He argues that human society is deeply fragmented when anything, but God is our highest love. If our highest goal in life is the good of our family, then we will tend to ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:21-24

Tags: Law, Sin, Idolatry, Virtue, Jonathan Edwards, 10 Commandments  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Be Found Faithful

Contributed by Roger Hasselquist on Mar 31, 2025

There is a story of a choir director who was so stressed out because at least one or more members of the choir were absent at every rehearsal for a concert. Finally came the last rehearsal and he announced: “I want to personally thank the pianist for being the only person in this entire church ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:1-2

Tags: Faithfulness, Choir, Unfaithfulness

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Pledge -- Prayer

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 6, 2025

Two men were arguing at work one day about religion. Neither really knew what they were talking about. Finally one said, “Man, you don’t know anything about religion. I’ll bet you ten dollars you can’t even repeat the Lord’s Prayer.” The other grinned. “Oh yeah? It’s a bet!” He straightened up ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Hebrews 4:12, Psalm 119:105

Tags: Scripture, Discipleship, Truth, Authority

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

The Cruciform Life

Contributed by John Bright on Jul 11, 2026

But we are not the first folks who have tried to be the center of the Vertical and Horizontal dimensions. Jesus Followers from the beginning of the Early Church sought to love God and neighbor in the midst of persecution and martyrdom. Remember, in the church of right now, we who are not ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:1-4

Tags: Acceptance, Security, Significance, Thomas A Kempis, The Imitation Of Christ, Cruciform Life, Vertical Fellowship, Horizontal Fellowship  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Methodist

What We Must See Is That The Real Question In ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 9, 2002

“What we must see is that the real question in worship is not, ‘What will meet my need?’ The real question is, ‘What kind of worship does God call ...read more

George Gallup, The Man Who Continually Polls ...  PRO

Contributed by Jerry Falwell on May 15, 2002

George Gallup, the man who continually polls Americans says, “Our society is coming to the end of its emotional resources.” He says when that happens, “It is inevitable that people ...read more

Tags: Evangelism The Lost

Denomination: Baptist

Whereas, It Is The Duty Of All Nations To ...  PRO

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Feb 28, 2003

‘Whereas, it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the Providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, humbly implore his protection and favor…” (1st ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:1-20, Philippians 4:1-9

Tags: Thanksgiving Holiday, Evangelism The Lost

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Source Of National Security  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 24, 2003

THE SOURCE OF NATIONAL SECURITY "It must be felt that there is no national security but in the nation’s humble acknowledged dependence upon God and His overruling providence." ...read more

Tags: War

Instead Of Praying For Victory, We Settle For ...  PRO

Contributed by Bob Briggs on Jul 6, 2004

“Instead of praying for victory, we settle for temporary relief. We pray that God will make the devil leave us alone, when the Lord is telling us to pursue our ...read more

Tags: Prayer How To

Denomination: Pentecostal

Scratched On The Walls Of One Of The Nazi Prison ...  PRO

Contributed by Douglas Vincent on Nov 22, 2005

Scratched on the walls of one of the Nazi prison camps were the words, “I believe in the sun even when it does not shine. I believe in love even when it is not ...read more

Tags: Examples Of Faith

Denomination: Methodist

Give Me The Love That Leads The Way, The Faith ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 8, 2006

"Give me the love that leads the way, The faith that nothing can dismay, The hope no disappointments tire, The passion that will burn like fire, Let me not sink to be ...read more

Tags: Faith General, Disappointment, Walking Away

60% Of Canadians Believe "Through The Life, ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 20, 2007

60% Of Canadians believe “through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, God provided the way for the forgiveness of sins,” but only 17% attend church at least ...read more

Tags: Church General

Dr. John Geddie Went To Aneityum In 1848 And ...

Contributed by Shannon Lewis on Apr 3, 2007

“Dr. John Geddie went to Aneityum in 1848 and worked there for God for 24 years. On the tablet erected to his memory these words are inscribed: When he landed, in 1848, there were ...read more